Boxing
Frank Smith rules out Joshua-Makhmudov after Allen win
Published
8 months agoon
Matchroom CEO Frank Smith has ruled out a fight between Anthony Joshua and Arslanbek Makhmudov following a beating by Russian great Dave Allen last Saturday night in Sheffield, England.
(Source: Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing)
“AJ follows his own path” – what does that mean?
Smith said Tyson Fury is one of the names that Joshua (28-4, 25 KO) is rumored to fight in 2026. Although he didn’t mention Jake Paul, he’s definitely the latter. This fight could be even bigger than Joshua vs. Fury as Jake has a much larger social media following than the aging 37-year-old Fury.
Frank is not saying that Makmudov (21-2, 19 KO) is too perilous for Joshua. Some of the shots the massive 6-foot-1/2-inch Russian hit Allen with gave AJ a lot of trouble.
Makhmudov continued to throw with tremendous power in the 11th and 12th rounds, following a twelve-round unanimous decision victory over “The White Rhino” Allen last Saturday night. Before the fight, there was a belief that Arslanbek would tire in the later rounds, lose power and become defenseless.
AJ’s question about punch resistance
This largely did not happen. In round 12 he continued to hit just as challenging as he had in the first three rounds. If Joshua gets hit by shots like Allen, it will be bad for him. It would be AJ’s second straight knockout and would spoil the money fights with Jake Paul and Fury.
“Everyone wants to fight AJ. We will obviously work with Arslanbek moving forward with the fights, but everyone wants to fight AJ,” Matchroom CEO Frank Smith said. Boxing King’s Mediain reaction to the news that Arslanbek Makhmudov said he wants to fight Anthony Joshua next, following his victory over Dave Allen last Saturday night.
Why Matchroom won’t take a chance on Joshua now
It’s understandable why Smith wouldn’t want Joshua to get even close to a fighter like Makhmudov. He is too powerful and everything is bad for him. At this point in AJ’s career, when his punch resistance seems to be gone, he would be better off fighting guys like Fury or Otto Wallin. Jake is unharmed because he is so much smaller, and the giant purse that Joshua gets will aid soften the blow of his potential loss.
Fury 2026: Still the most vital for Matchroom
“Of course it is. Everyone sees it as a huge opportunity, but… AJ is also following his own path as to what he wants to do. The [Tyson] The Fury fight is a fight that is being talked about a lot in 2026. Let’s see how things go,” Smith said.
True, Smith says Makhmoud is not in Joshua’s plans. He didn’t say who, apart from Jake, Paul will face Joshua if they fail to get the Fury fight. The “Gypsy King” is incredibly wealthy and his fortune is estimated at approx $160 million. He may not want to leave his stately home in Morecambe to return to the challenging life of a boxer and go to war with a tough boxer like Joshua.
If Tyson had the punching power of Makhmudov, I could see him returning to the ring. However, he cannot punch and would be forced to go 12 rounds to beat Joshua. It’s challenging work for anyone, especially a chubby fighter carrying over 20 pounds of excess weight around their midsection.
Bakola has been mentioned – but he doesn’t have a paycheck like Joshua’s
“He can get into massive fights,” Smith said when asked what Makhmudov can do now. “He’s in this position now, after winning in such an atmosphere on a night like this and with such a performance. He can fight Bakole.” Smith said about the option for Arslanbek.
Somehow I don’t see Makhmudov being excited about fighting Martin Bakole as a replacement option for fighting Joshua for a mega-million dollar payday. The money he will receive for fighting Bakole will not be even close to what he will receive for fighting AJ.
Olly Campbell has been covering boxing since 2010 and writing for Boxing News 24 since 2014. He has been based in the UK and currently covers the world boxing scene, providing fight news, results and features that allow fans to hear the biggest stories in the sport.
With a background in reporting from the UK and Europe, Olly has developed a style that combines acute analysis with accessible writing, making his work valuable to dedicated followers and casual fans alike. His reports consistently highlight champions, challengers and emerging prospects on the global stage.
Last update: 12/10/2025
You may like
Boxing
Tim Bradley explains why Lamont Roach can beat William Zepeda
Published
2 hours agoon
June 13, 2026
Bradley says Roach’s experience against pressure players and southpaws will give him an advantage on August 1
Tim Bradley thinks Lamont Roach Jr. he is the player best placed to make William Zepeda lose. In a speech on his YouTube channel, Bradley selected Roach as the winner of the vacant WBC lightweight title on August 1 and cited the fight’s stylistic advantages as a key factor.
“I’m picking Roach to win this fight,” Bradley said on his channel. “I think it’s a perfect match in style. I think Roach fights southpaws better than orthodox fighters.”
Roach comes into the fight coming off a draw with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and a contentious draw with Gervonta Davis, as well as two physically demanding fights against high-pressure fighters that Bradley says has prepared him for Zepeda’s relentless approach.
“I think he fought one of the best southpaws in the world in Tank Davis. And he did damn well against him,” Bradley said. “He wasn’t scared by the force of the impact.”
Bradley believes Roach has the tools needed to neutralize Zepeda’s pressure.
“When guys who like to get forward and be aggressive, nine times out of 10 they don’t like being tackled,” Bradley said. “Roach has the ability to do it. He has the knowledge and the IQ to be able to do it. And if he does it, he will win this fight.”
Bradley also cautioned that Roach cannot afford to leave matters in the judges’ hands, arguing that he needs to create more separation than in recent draws with Isaac Cruz and Gervonta Davis.

Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most vital fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter
Related boxing news:
Last update: 2026/06/13 at 14:20
Boxing
Roy Jones Jr Says He’ll Return to Fighting One Fighter If He Gets an Eight-Figure Salary: ‘It’ll Make Me Prepare’
Published
4 hours agoon
June 13, 2026
Roy Jones Jr has announced his price and is demanding an eight-figure purse if he is to make it through the ropes.
At his peak, the American became one of the best players to ever grace the sport, and his breathtaking speed and overall physical prowess made him seem almost unbeatable.
After winning world titles at middleweight, super middleweight and airy heavyweight, Jones even moved up to heavyweight and dethroned John Ruiz to win the WBA belt in 2003.
The pound-for-pound legend retired in 2018, when many thought his best days were behind him, only to take it to the next level exhibition match with Mike Tyson in 2020
Although it was a non-contest, many believed that Tyson outplayed Jones, who then returned professionally against Anthony Pettis and lost an eight-round decision to the former UFC champion in 2023.
Since then, the 57-year-old has remained on the safer side of the competition, but is now eyeing another comeback, this time against Misfits boxer Tommy Fury.
Having delved into the power side of the sport following previous professional victories over Jake Paul and KSI, Fury is now preparing to face former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall.
I’m talking to Betting showroomJones said he would only be willing to challenge the 27-year-old if he was handsomely rewarded for his troubles.
“Is me vs. Tommy Fury dead? Nothing is dead forever. Roy Jones is still alive. Tommy Fury is still alive. Who knows? For the right money, it would make me go to the gym to get ready.”
“If they give me $10 million of course. Ten and more, yes. If they don’t give me $10 million and more, then no, I’m not wasting my time.”
Fury’s six-round exhibition match with Hall will take place later today at the Manchester Arena, although the result will not affect his professional record of 11-0 (4 KO).
“There are a confined number of fights and he can’t fight every fighter. So why don’t you consider that [Iglesias and Sheeraz] think about who wants to be at the front of the line,” Kellerman said on InsideRingShow.
Kellerman rejected the idea that Canelo was firing any of the fighters.
“He’s not saying he’s ignoring Sheeraz and Iglesias. In fact, he just gave them a path. He said, ‘I’m fighting Mbilli.’ You are fighting each other. This is not a duck. This is about business,” Kellerman said.
Sheeraz has already made it clear that he has no interest in following the route proposed by Canelo. Responding to a suggestion from an earlier interview, the British fighter said he respected Alvarez but would not allow another boxer to dictate his career decisions.
A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could answer many of the remaining questions about both men.
Canelo is preparing to fight Mbilli, a fighter widely viewed as one of the most threatening fighters in the division due to his constant pressure and furious attacks. Meanwhile, Sheeraz has had two fights since moving up to 168 pounds, a fight against Edgar Berlanga, who he stopped in July 2025 after Canelo had already beaten him a year earlier, and 39-year-old Al Begic for the vacant WBO title.
A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could eliminate many of the questions that still haunt both men. Sheeraz would have the opportunity to silence critics who believe his super middleweight resume is slim, while Iglesias could reaffirm a growing reputation that has led some fans to consider him the division’s boogeyman.
The winner would pose a bigger and more marketable challenge. Instead of facing Sheeraz immediately after his victory over Begic, Alvarez could face an opponent who had a decisive victory over another world champion, adding more significance to what could be one of the final marquee fights of his career.
Max Kellerman reacts to Canelo Álvarez’s comments about Hamzah Sheeraz and Osleys Iglesias 👀#InsideTheRing | The latest episode LIVE NOW on YouTube The Ring 📺 pic.twitter.com/tfOhDtjgit
— InsideRingShow (@InsideRingShow) June 12, 2026
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most essential fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
“F*****G AWFUL!” Eddie Hearn ROASTS Dana White, Details Tyson Fury Next Fight & Ben Shalom Call
“I’M F***ING SCARED OF NOBODY- COME AND SEE ME!” John Fury EXPLODES On Carl Froch And Darren Till
Tim Bradley explains why Lamont Roach can beat William Zepeda
Pacquiao vs marquez competition: History of violence
Dmitry Menshikov statement in the February fight
Stephen Fulton Jr. becomes world champion in two weight by means of a decision
“F*****G AWFUL!” Eddie Hearn ROASTS Dana White, Details Tyson Fury Next Fight & Ben Shalom Call
“I’M F***ING SCARED OF NOBODY- COME AND SEE ME!” John Fury EXPLODES On Carl Froch And Darren Till
‘F******G CALL EDDIE HEARN RIGHT NOW!’ – Dana White FURIOUS over AJ-FURY & Aspinall
Trending
-
Opinions & Features1 year agoPacquiao vs marquez competition: History of violence
-
MMA1 year agoDmitry Menshikov statement in the February fight
-
Results1 year agoStephen Fulton Jr. becomes world champion in two weight by means of a decision
-
Results1 year agoKeyshawn Davis Ko’s Berinchyk, when Xander Zayas moves to 21-0
-
Video1 year agoFrank Warren on Derek Chisora vs Otto Wallin – ‘I THOUGHT OTTO WOULD GIVE DEREK PROBLEMS!’
-
Analysis1 year agoRobert Garcia discusses the debate on the greatest Mexican warrior in history
-
Video1 year ago‘DEREK CHISORA RETIRE TONIGHT!’ – Anthony Yarde PLEADS for retirement after WALLIN
-
Results1 year agoLive: Catterall vs Barboza results and results card



